How to Grow Kirengeshoma Plants

Guide to Growing Yellow Waxbells

Kirengeshoma are a genus of hardy perennials that reach from 90 to 120 cm in height.

They carry maple shaped leaves and funnel shaped flowers of cream atop purple stems.

The common name for this woodland plant is yellow waxbells.

Kirengeshoma palmata

Kirengeshoma
Kirengeshoma palmata photographs by Wallygrom and Issyeyre.

Kirengeshoma Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Yellow Waxbells.
Scientific Names: Kirengeshoma palmata; Kirengeshoma koreana.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 36 to 48 inches (90 to 120 cm).
Native: East Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 5 to 9.
Flowers: Species dependent: Late summer and autumn.
Flower Details: Cream, Yellow. Cone-shaped. Crystalline.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Deeply-lobed. Palmate. Dark green. Hairy.
Sow Outside: Cover seed. Following the last frost. Spacing 24 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm).
Sow Inside: Germination time: one to twelve months. Temperature: 55 to 65°F (13 to 18°C). Any time of the year. Transplant outdoors following the last frost.
Requirements and care: Partial shade. Good drainage. Deep acidic soil. Humus rich soil, moist soil, cool soil. Mix in organic material when planting; do not use manure. Propagate: by dividing established plants (four years minimum) in the spring in cooler areas or the autumn in warmer areas.
Miscellaneous: Kirengeshoma palmata is a native of Japan and is most commonly grown in the garden. The Korean species - Kirengeshoma koreana – tends to be larger, but not as graceful.

How to Grow Yellow Waxbells (Kirengeshoma)

If you plan to grow the woodland plant Yellow Waxbells in your garden then sow seeds following the last frost of spring. Simply cover the seeds with topsoil once sown. They like to grow in areas that have part shade and a cool well drained soil. Ideally the soil that yellow bells grow in should also be acidic and enhanced by the addition of organic matter.

If you plan to start growing Yellow waxbells (Kirengeshoma) indoors first, then the seeds can take from one to ten months to germinate at 12 to 18 degrees Centigrade. Once growing the plants should not be put out in the garden until after the last frost of the following spring. The Yellow waxbells plant should be spaced at abouut 75 cm apart.

Caring for Yellow Waxbells

Once established Yellow Waxbells be disturbed for at least four years; after that time more yellow waxbells can be had by division of the plants in the spring.